This post is dedicated to my fab friends from EHC who have shared the concrete of the parking lot on blazin' hot evenings with my family during Freedom Celebration and have since moved on from here. You know who you are!

The fireworks show took FOREVAH tonight. So while my adult ADD was kicking into high gear, I thought to whip out my camera and use the video function - which only my children have used until now - to record some of the show. I knew I needed to blog about tonight because I was missing some of my peeps that used to share this with me every year. Plus - Roman happened to be in the bathroom (translated...port o' potty) during the finale which is the best part of the show. Now she can see it, too!

And, let me just say that there has never been a nicer evening for the Freedom Celebration than tonight. The weather was cool with only a hint of a breeze. (I mean the flag did not even ripple when they raised it up the pole! So very odd for Oklahoma.) I did not have to fan myself once or even whine about how hot I was. It was seriously precious.

I have many, many memories of all my years at this celebration. My friend, Katrina, and I ALWAYS reminisce about the first year we went together. We only went for the fireworks and watched it from the west side of the building - which is the side where they shoot the fireworks. Shrapnel fell down on us the whole time! Ah............good times, good times.

Last year, I got to drive a golf cart.

It had my name on it.

That, my friend, was power. I drove and I drove and I drove. Even when there were no more passengers to shuttle in, I drove. Even when Keith C. told me it was time to "bring it in", I drove. There's something about that plastic windshield and the openness of it all. It took all I had not to hi-jack sweet Shelly J's cart tonight and ride off into the sunset!

I do love this holiday coming up. I so often take every freedom I have for granted. But, today, I am most thankful for the sweet freedom I have in my heavenly Father - that I can rest in His arms and His grace.

Now, that's something to celebrate!

Beverly

And The Tony Goes To...

Sometimes - lots of times, really - I wonder where my daughter's passion for singing and performing will take her. I am quite willing to admit that as her mom, I am completely biased and cannot possibly be objective about her talent. I do know that when she's on that stage and singing her heart out, she is having the best time of her life. And we enjoy every minute right along with her.

Roman just finished a two-week musical theater camp and had her last performance tonight. She got to play Annie Oakley which she L*O*V*E*D because she got to shoot a gun, wear a shiny pink shirt and talk like she was from the deep south!

It was a fun show to watch and I just want to say thanks again to our family and friends that came to watch.

I have to go now.............I think Hollywood's calling! *wink*

xxoo,

The Stage Momma

Well I'm Takin' My Time

I'm just moving along. You'll forget about me after I've been gone. yada yada somethin somethin just outside of your front door.

That's about all the Boston I know and you can tell it's not much. Really...I'm not sure if those lyrics are even correct. But I sing them loud and proud in the car with my sweet hubby.

He knows every word.

And so does Josh.

That's prolly the reason I lost my mind temporarily when Josh saw an ad in the paper that Boston was coming to the Zoo with Styx and he said "We should get tickets for Dad for Father's Day. I'll go with him." I said, "That's a great idea." (Really just thankful that I wasn't having to come up with a great gift for the guy who is sooooo difficult to buy for because he never wants anything!!!) (rant over.) It was only after I hit the "buy tickets now" button did the reasonable, protective, sheltering mother in me return to her senses.

I'm sending my baby into a den of iniquity.

(whatever that means but those are the words that popped into my head.) I might as well sit him down in an R rated movie and spike his OJ with beer!! I couldn't even **think** about what...ummm..."aromas" might fill the air. KWIM??

Anyway, the concert was Wednesday night. They had a great time and my baby boy didn't come home high or hung over. haha So I guess praying over your children "without ceasing" really does work. He did come home with a Styx shirt that had a picture of the band on it and all I could think was "Man, are those guys getting old!!"

Good news from yesterday: Josh had competitive soccer tryouts and made it back onto the team that he played on the last two years. Tryouts make my stomach hurt. I got to hang out with some of my girlie peeps at Starbuck's so we could spend time with Kristi C. (Waves! Hi K!)

Today: Roman performs as Annie Oakley in the Artworks production of "And The Tony Goes To..." Plus, her sweet friend who moved to Texas last year is in town and will get to see her perform.

Baby bird update: They were all gone yesterday. Again, I was sad. But, I got up this morning and there were four of them back waking up in their own bed.

I'm now wishing for that boring life I was so convinced I was living!!

Thanks for stopping by,

Beverly

Family Bible studies

No photo today cuz I think it might not be legal to take a picture of a book and post it on your blog. Since I'm so new at this, I don't want the blog police after me. Yikes!

Richard and I are doing a Bible study with the little kids. Richard has the hard one - a purity study with Josh. He's doing Preparing Your Son for Every Man's Battle. I don't envy him one bit and am glad there's only one girl in this family and I'm praying for the rapture before I have to do that study with her! That makes me think of a funny story.

When I was preggo with Josh, we thought it would be a great time to have the "talk" with Patrick and Brandon. We could relate everything to the wonderful life created by two people within God's design of marriage...you see where I'm going? Brandon was the first - out of the blue - to bring up a question about where babies come from, so I got ready. He said, "So the stork flies over and drops the baby down your throat and then you throw it up when it's ready to come out?" To which I - being the coward that I am - said, "That's exactly right. Who wants cookies?"

Anyway.......Roman and I are doing The Christian Girl's Guide to Being Your Best. Way easier than the boys. The verse yesterday was Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

A few months ago, we (Richard and I) started praying about leaving the only church we've ever known as a married couple - the only church our children have ever known, as well. We eventually knew that God was calling us out of our comfort zone - to not be wrapped up in the church, but to be wrapped up in Him. So, that verse has become our pillar as we stepped out in obedience. It's been one of the most difficult things we've ever done, but very exciting, also. This is definitely stretching all of us since we've never had to do anything like it before.

We've come to call every Sunday "The Adventure." We've gone to three different churches so far. I thought about writing a review after each visit - kind of like a restaurant review - but thought that could get a little dicey! I will definitely let you know when God puts us in the right spot. (I hope it's soon!)

Roman and I are off to watch Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (the old Gene Wilder version.) I know every word to every song. Love, love, love that movie and love that Roman likes it just as much!

Tune in tomorrow - Richard and Josh are at a Boston and Styx concert. Aye yi yi!

Beverly
Thinking of my dad today who passed away 8 years ago today. Does it ever really get easier?

Thirst Quenching Tea

I am not a tea drinker. OR...I wasn't a tea drinker -until McAlister's Deli opened up and advertised the fact that they have the best sweet tea EVAH! Then, my sweet husband, who is a tea drinker, had some and raved about it. Then, I had some and it WAS the best iced tea I've ever had. In a word - perfection.

Of course, then it became a competition between me and McAlister's to make the best tea. (Sidebar - McAlister's doesn't really know about the competition. Or care, prolly.) I had to make that tea and I'm happy to say that I have *almost* gotten there. Josh even says I am so close and he's definitely a tea drinker. So here's a picture of my wonderful tea. And, I'm even going to share my findings with you: I use my Mr. Coffee Iced Tea Maker with three Luzianne teabags - and I always use a filter in the holder-thingie. After I've put in amount of water directed and I have the ice in the pitcher, I pour 1/2 cup plus a pinch of sugar over the ice and brew away! When the tea maker has finished it's part, I stir the tea like crazy and that dissolves all the sugar. Fabulous! I really think the secret is using bagged ice from 7 Eleven. Let me know if you give this a try and it works for you!

I have to give you an update on the baby swallows on our back porch! It was such drama last night - mostly for me. One of the babies left the nest and was trying to fly around the back porch. He was doing a good job and the parents were flying all around him trying to encourage him and make sure he didn't hurt himself. (That's the way it went in my head!) He finally perched on the back of one of our chairs so I slipped out to take his picture. Max, our dog, decided to go to his water bowl - not paying one bit of attention to the bird - and it scared the baby who took off over the fence into our neighbor's yard!! I was so sad. I tried to find him but couldn't. So I was sad some more. I went to bed sad. But, this morning, there were 5 babies back in the nest! YAY!! I'm not sure at this point how they are all fitting in there, so I know it won't be long before they all fly away. And I'll be sad again............until I have to clean up the porch below their nest!!

I want to leave you with the scripture from the Bible study Roman and I are doing. It's a familiar one and is especially meaningful for us right now - but I'll chat about that tomorrow. Proverbs 3: 5-6 - give it a lookie.

Ta Ta For Now (to quote our pal, Tigger),

Beverly

Our Babies Are Getting So Big

Aren't they SO sweet??? Our cat, Blackjack, certainly thinks so and would like to find out for himself!!


These baby swallows live up in the corner of our
back porch. I **think** they are about 10 days
old and are finally getting fuzzy feathers. (They weren't so cute when they were just slick little things.) I can see them from my chair in the living room and check on them all the time.

When we sit on the backporch, the mommy and daddy (I'm guessing!) just fly around all the time even though I tell them it's OK to go up and check on the kids. *wink*

I'm just worried they are outgrowing that teeny tiny nest.... and soon they'll leave.....and I'll have empty nest syndrome!

Do you want to see what their parents leave for us every day on the concrete directly below these sweet babies??? I didn't think so!!

C U LTR,

Beverly

These girls

First of all: Someone read my blog!! Thanks, Linda. Don't know how you found it - you must have some mad bloggin' skillz. And, she even left a comment. This could be so addictive. I want to tell you everything now - I could write all day, but that kitchen won't clean itself! So - on to this photo. This is Roman with one of her best buds, Kylee. When they are together, it is a non-stop laugh fest and they seem to have a *thing* for pretend facial hair. At our house, they make up plays and dances and puppet shows and build-a-bear shows. Then, we have to sit on the couch and watch.....sometimes many, many times. I enjoy their friendship so much and absolutely LOVE how creative they are together.

They are also both crazy good soccer players. So many talents. Maybe sometime I'll be able to post a video of one of their "routines" - but that would require more of that techie *schtuff* that I don't seem to possess!

I wanted to share another picture with you, but can't figure out how to get it below all my other writing. Maybe I'll try another post!!

Later gator!

Beverly

Here goes...

My first post. It came to me last night while I was in bed and it went, sort of, like this:



"I should start a blog. Yeah, that's a good idea. I love to talk about myself and my family. That would be unlimited talk time. Maybe we're too boring? Am I crazy - too boring - us??!!?? We're soooo NOT boring. I could fill the library with books about us - definitely, not boring. Seriously, we ARE boring, but that still doesn't change the fact that I like to talk about my family. Who would read it? Richard would read it and NaNa. OK - that's enough for me! Game on!"



So welcome to my blog. Here in the Wright house, we like to live out loud! These children of ours keep us on our toes and have from the minute Richard and I got married and we became an instant family of 4. Ahhhh....memories....(you know that song started playing in your head right away!!)



Anyway, this is just a test post. I was so excited that I was able to put the picture of our condo in Cozumel on my blog that I really just want to see if this will show up after I hit the "publish post" button!! (Why the condo pic? Who knows? I'm so not a techie - I almost fell outta my chair when it worked. So, who am I to question it? Just gonna go with it - cuz that's how I roll! *wink*)

I just hope I can remember how to get to my own blog tomorrow!



Thanks for stopping by,



Beverly